I am delighted to share our latest update with all Girlguiding Northamptonshire volunteers. It is hard to believe my team and I have already completed our first three months together! Time has certainly flown by, and I am grateful for the warmth and support from across the county.

We are especially pleased to welcome two new members to our County team: Sarah Souter, who has stepped into the role of Chair of Programme, and Dianne Stewart, our new County Brownie Adviser. Both bring a wealth of experience and enthusiasm, and I am sure you will join me in wishing them every success as they settle into their new roles.

Membership and Volunteer News

As we continue to shape our plans and support Guiding across Northamptonshire, it is important to keep you in the loop about our membership. Since our subscription in 2025, we are down 14 young members, but I am thrilled to report we have gained 50 new volunteers. This positive growth is a testament to your commitment and the welcoming spirit of Girlguiding in our county.

Communication and Engagement

Our November meeting brought together Division Commissioners and committee Chairs for a productive conversation about our priorities and how we can work more closely together. We are keen to keep this momentum going, so have arranged volunteer afternoons designed to boost communication, share ideas, and strengthen engagement. These events are open to everyone – please join us if you can!

Celebrating Events

I have already had the privilege of attending several Thinking Day celebrations and love the energy and creativity on display. If you have an event coming up, or would like any of the CC team to present awards or simply pop by for a visit, please do get in touch – we would be delighted to join you and celebrate our members’ achievements. office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Newsletter Participation

A gentle reminder to keep those fantastic photographs and reports coming in for ‘News and Views’. Your stories help us showcase the vibrancy of our Girlguiding community, so don’t be shy about sending in your news – it’s always wonderful to see what you are up to! Articles to News@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Thank you for everything you do. Together, we are making Girlguiding Northamptonshire a brilliant place for girls and volunteers alike.

I wish to sincerely apologise for a misunderstanding on my part, which led to the omission of a volunteer in the recent Thinking Day communication. This was entirely accidental, and I deeply regret any disappointment caused.

It is with great pleasure that I now announce the following volunteer has been nominated for the following award in recognition of their outstanding service:

Sally Chaplin – CHQ Good Service Award



We extend our warmest congratulations and best wishes to her. Their dedication and commitment is truly valued, and we thank her wholeheartedly for her contribution.

Mandy Ludlow

Northamptonshire County Commissioner

EVENTS

What's happening where and when?

TRAININGS

To complete First Response, or Safer Guiding e-learnings (which replace Safe Space Levels 1, 2 and 3) please visit the Learning Platform

UPCOMING FIRST RESPONSE TRAININGS

All trainings will be held at the County Office, The Unity Centre, Unit 1 Brookfield, Duncan Close, Moulton Park NN3 6WL

Wear uniform or comfortable clothes. Bring a packed lunch and a drink and a paper and pen. This course is FREE

The first response e-learning will also need to be completed on the learning platform

A Thankyou to Mandy from her old Division...

As Mandy progresses in her new role as County Commissioner she left her role as Division Commissioner for Northampton Nene Valley behind.

During her time in this role, she worked hard to arrange events for girls and ladies across all sections of Girlguiding and has worked towards bringing all sections together. By being a part of organising these events she has helped to provide so many with such wonderful opportunities, making friendships and memories the girls and adults alike will treasure.

To thank her for her time in her role, she was presented with some gifts as a token of our appreciation. From everyone in Northampton Nene Valley, we thank you and wish you all the best in your new role.

100th Thinking Day Afternoon Tea



Thinking Day, February 22nd is always a very special day for members of the Guide movement. The day chosen was birthdays of Lord and Lady Baden-Powell when we particularly think about guides all over the world.

This year is extra special because it is the hundredth anniversary and Mandy, our County Commissioner has marked the occasion by inviting the Vice Presidents for afternoon tea at the Unity Centre.

A sumptuous array of delicious sandwiches, sausage rolls and cakes ensured that we were well fed and two young members gave excellent presentations about international trips they had been on. It really was lovely to look at the pictures and remember the holidays we had been able to enjoy over the years. Through guiding many of us were able to go on international visits and have wonderful memories of lasting friendships and the fun we always had.

Mandy then introduced our three new Vice Presidents, Val Tate, Lynda Norris and Adele Cooney (not able to be with us) and Susan Cole, our President, said a few words. We welcome them and look forward to working together with the county team in the future.

Most of the members there had been in guiding for many years and will have celebrated Thinking Day in different ways. I can remember when I was a Guide we were able to wear our uniforms for school on that day and very proud we were to do so. As Vice Presidents we are also very proud and honoured to be a part of girlguidingnorthamptonshire and will do all we can to help.

Thank you Mandy, Helen, Lesley and Chris for a really enjoyable afternoon.

Wishing you every success in the future.

From Marie

1st Old Stratford Brownies

On 22nd January 1st Old Stratford Brownies celebrated 50 years of the unit being open. Leaders, girls, past girls, parents and people who have helped and been important to the unit all joined together to enjoy pottery painting.

Although a lovely evening it was a little sad as it was also a goodbye due to it being the last meeting for the unit.

The unit started on the 9th January 1976 in Old Stratford but moved to Deanshanger a few years after and that is where it has been since. Over the past 50 years girls have enjoyed yearly themed silly sports and Christmas parties, done plenty of badges, gone swimming with the unit and at district and division events, joined in with remembrance parades and services, made scarecrows for Deanshanger scarecrow trail, performed pantomimes and helped raise money for various different charities. They have enjoyed celebrating the golden, diamond and platinum jubilees, the coronation, the centenary of guiding and the big brownie birthday, taking part in events in the unit, village, division and county.

The last 50 years have seen a lot of changes for 1st Old Stratford Brownies but they have been a good half century of guiding. The pottery was a lovely farewell.

Design bunting and/or a sign for EID



The Northampton Eid Committee with the support of Northampton Town Council are planning for 2026 Eid Festival.

We are therefore delighted to offer a chance for girlguiding groups to get involved in designing bunting and Eid decorations that will be displayed at the festival for everyone to enjoy.  

This is a wonderful opportunity for participants to share their creativity and be part of a wonderful event that brings the whole town together to celebrate its diversity in the spirit of unity, joy and togetherness from all backgrounds and faiths.

The Eid Festival will be held in May 2026 at Beckets Park, and we would love to showcase your artwork and decorations as part of this year’s festivities by helping us make it a real community celebration.

If you would like to participate, please follow the next steps:

🖌️ How to Get Involved:

• Design bunting, using any materials and size. With wording “Eid Mubarak”
• A2 notice board with wording “Welcome to Northampton Eid Festival” or Eid Mubarak.
• Stars and the moon shapes represent Eid, however we welcome any of your sparkly designs in any size.
• Please bring your finished work to the county office as soon as you can and before 2 April 2026
• All contributions will be displayed at the festival, and participating groups will be acknowledged on event materials and thanked publicly during the event.

We want to thank you for your continued support in making Northampton a vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming town for all.

Cllr Rufia Ashraf On behalf of the Northampton Eid Committee

99th Northampton took an out of this world visit to the National Space Centre in Leicestershire. From rainbows to rangers they were blasted with information about our solar system. The rainbows loved looking at the stars and dancing like they were in space. The brownies listened to a story about going to mars. The guides loved racing their rockets whilst they learnt about how water pressure helps to blast off!! The rangers experienced being astronauts in a rocket simulator where they helped on a top secret mission! Emily Hedge 

Congratulations for completing the Becoming a Leader Training

Chloe Weston - Nene Division

Caitlan Clack - Nene Division

RSVP to office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk with your venue choice

Cricket Taster Session - Give Cricket a Go!

Are you interested in trying something new? Curious about cricket? Join us for a fun and friendly taster session open to all ages and abilities.

· Date: Friday 17 April, 5pm – 6pm Rainbows and Brownies

· Date: Monday 20 April, 7pm - 8pm Guides and Rangers

· Venue: Northampton County Cricket Club, Indoor Centre, Abington Avenue, NN1 4NY



Cost: £4 per girl to include a badge

No equipment or experience required.

Coaches will be on hand to guide you.

Perfect for beginners and anyone keen to have a go!

Come along, have some fun, and discover the joy of cricket!

For further information contact programme@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk 

Only 50 spaces each day so book asap

The Going Away With Scheme is a resource for all adults within guiding who have completed the Leadership Qualification and wish to gain a qualification to be able to take their girls away on residential's.

Finedon, Ferrers, Irthlingborough & Raunds district celebrated the 100th Thinking Day with a special service - ‘100 minutes for 100 years’.

We renewed our promises, sang songs from the decades, collected coins for the Thinking Day Fund, untied human knots and decorated the number ‘100’ with all our favourite things about friendship

32nd All Saints Kettering Rainbows were very lucky to receive a donation of money for a special treat to see some reindeers. Unfortunately, we had to wait until they came back home from delivering all the Christmas presents around the world. After they had rested, they came to see us. We learned lots of things about reindeers, that they can see their food called lichen glowing under the snow up to a foot deep. They scrape away at the snow to get to it. Their eyes can see ultraviolet lights but humans like Rainbows can’t see it! Also they have no top teeth and only a few bottom front teeth. Their antlers are very heavy and the girls had a chance to try to pick up one antler made from bone.

Iris, Rainbow Leader

Lynda Norris as County Vice President (Pastoral)

I have been asked to write a few words about myself. Those who know me will know ‘a few words’ is almost impossible, but I will try to keep it brief.

Guiding life for me started as a Brownie and then a Guide at St. Andrews Church Wellingborough, achieving my Queens Guide in 1977. I then volunteered for 15 years as a Cub Scout Leader. The connection with Scouting started as part of my service flash.

When my children were born I had a break before becoming a unit helper for Brownies mostly as a Pack Holiday First Aider. It was during this time I met and worked with Mandy (our County Commissioner) as we were both volunteers in the Red Cross. My role for 30 years was a first aid volunteer, and a trainer for first aid and welfare.

I joined Trefoil Guild in 2005 and I have been group Chairman and this year complete 5 years sharing the County Program role. During this time I also took on the role of Division Commissioner for Wellingborough and Rural Division.

Presently I am training to be a Church of England Lay Minister, something I have felt a calling to pursue.

Because of my Red Cross and Church background, Mandy offered me the position of County Vice President (Pastoral). It is a great privilege and something I feel honored to do.

I am happy to be the listening ear and to offer pastoral care and support where necessary, I can be contacted on pastoralvp@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

My hobbies are many and varied: Trefoil Guild, crafts, music, dance, nature and the outdoors and of course talking. I’m sure these will be put to good use as Vice President.

I am absolutely thrilled to support the new County Team as they take Northamptonshire Guiding forward in the next 5 years. I wish them every success and ask you all to support them however you can.

Yours in Guiding Lynda Norris

2026 subs Dates

• Friday 13 March 2026: We'll send a reminder email to the main contact of any level that hasn’t yet paid their official invoice.  
• Friday 27 March 2026, 12pm: All subscription payments must be received in full by this date. 
• Monday 27 April 2026: Districts, divisions, counties and countries or regions will receive their levy amounts, minus any deductions for unpaid invoices

All the time you spend keeping up to date in your Guiding roles can help work towards a training pin. This includes both e-learnings and face to face trainings.

These have been achieved this month;

Training Record Cards are available to print from the county website

Nights Away Badges

Keep track of your nights away using the record card below. When you reach 1,3,5,7,10,15,25,50,75,100,150 and 200 nights you can celebrate with a Northamptonshire nights away badge. Buy from the local shops or use the form below to purchase from the county office (you will need to add on postage unless collecting)

We have two properties in the county that you can book for days, evenings or overnights.....

MacQueen House  

Information and availability for MacQueen HERE

Jubilee Campsite



Information and availability for campsite HERE

How to contact the HQ safeguarding team

If you have a safeguarding concern, report it. If it’s an emergency and there’s an immediate risk of harm, you must call the emergency services first, and then report to the HQ safeguarding team.

Get in touch during office hours on +44(0)207 834 6242 ext. 3037 or email safeguarding@girlguiding.org.uk

For out of hours emergencies, call +44(0)7508 032997 (5-10pm Monday to Friday; 9am-10pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays).

The Queen's Guide

award

The Queen's Guide Award is the highest award you can work towards in Girlguiding. This award is open to members aged 16 to 30. You have 3 years to complete it or up until your 31st Birthday.

There are 5 sections; Personal Development Challenge, Guiding Challenge, Community Action Challenge, Lead the Way Challenge and Social Experience Challenge.

For more information and to get started, email Rachael and Joanna at queensguide@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

Midlands Region Grants – free money

Apply now using the current forms available HERE if your unit or an individual member would benefit from the support.

County Office - The Unity Centre

Do some photocopying or get help with your DBS or any other aspect of Go!

We are open 9.30am-12.30pm Weekdays in term-time. During school holidays it is always best to call 01604 648740 or email office@girlguidingnorthamptonshire.org.uk

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